I think this spring Morel and Gillaspie will be battling for that utility spot. Plus if Keppinger's shoulder proves to be a problem it make sense to have more than one guy capable of playing third and short. There is no harm in using this spring to see if Morel can be a utility guy, if not this year then at some point down the road.

I think this spring Morel and Gillaspie will be battling for that utility spot. Plus if Keppinger's shoulder proves to be a problem it make sense to have more than one guy capable of playing third and short. There is no harm in using this spring to see if Morel can be a utility guy, if not this year then at some point down the road.

Morel has 2 minor league options left. Gillaspie has none. The Sox can send Morel to AAA this year without risking losing him. They cannot do the same with Gillaspie. Morel is going to have to blow him away this Spring to earn an Opening Day roster spot over him. Actually, more likely, Gillaspie is going to have to be absolutely terrible, probably doesn't matter how good Morel plays. Watch out, Gwinnett Braves, Brent Morel will be seeing you April 4!

Morel has 2 minor league options left. Gillaspie has none. The Sox can send Morel to AAA this year without risking losing him. They cannot do the same with Gillaspie. Morel is going to have to blow him away this Spring to earn an Opening Day roster spot over him.

I agree that Gillaspie is going to be on the Opening Day roster over Morel but I suspect that the White Sox are auditioning Morel for a utility spot in the future or in case Keppinger gets hurt.

I agree that Gillaspie is going to be on the Opening Day roster over Morel but I suspect that the White Sox are auditioning Morel for a utility spot in the future or in case Keppinger gets hurt.

I think they're just ****ing around because it's February 28.

A ton of MLB players were shortstops in high school and college. Mark Teixeira is a former amateur shortstop. A lot of guys who reach the Majors played SS because they were usually the best player on their high school or college team and that's were the best player plays most of the time.

A ton of MLB players were shortstops in high school and college. Mark Teixeira is a former amateur shortstop. A lot of guys who reach the Majors played SS because they were usually the best player on their high school or college team and that's were the best player plays most of the time.

Bobby Thigpen was an All-American at Mississipi State at the DH position. He played in more than 400 major league gamess and only came up to bat once.

I think you're right. A few innings without a fielding chance in a meaningless Februrary game doesn't mean anything.

The Sox defensively probably aren't to be as good as last year however they still should be above average.

What they need is hitting.

On paper Morel hits better than the second coming of Jose Lopez (i.e. Angel Sanchez). His defense is good enough to probably play short as a back up / utility role for the amount of time he might actually get there.

His bat is better. If it comes down to those two, Morel offers more in what the team need more of.

I know a lot of people are making snarky comments about this, but Ventura did clearly say during Soxfest several times that he was considering using Morel as a backup shortstop. I heard it with my own ears, so it was definitely discussed over the winter, and seemingly Ventura is somewhat serious. In fact, I think Hahn talked about it in one of the seminars as well, talking about how valuable Morel would be as a backup second baseman or shortstop. Unfortunately either nobody remembers that or the media just simply did not pick up on the comment in January. It was discussed though.

I know a lot of people are making snarky comments about this, but Ventura did clearly say during Soxfest several times that he was considering using Morel as a backup shortstop. I heard it with my own ears, so it was definitely discussed over the winter, and seemingly Ventura is somewhat serious. In fact, I think Hahn talked about it in one of the seminars as well, talking about how valuable Morel would be as a backup second baseman or shortstop. Unfortunately either nobody remembers that or the media just simply did not pick up on the comment in January. It was discussed though.

It makes as much sense as anything. I'm all for it except in the case that Morel's health can't hold up even as a backup. If this is the case and we lose Sanchez because he is out of options where does that leave us?

It's a shame Morel was hurt from the get go last year...his September 2010 was awesome.